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US 12,305,816 B2Granted
Pipeline energy recovery system
AssigneeInpipe Energy, Inc.
InventorsGregory T. Semler, Caitlin Forinash, Todd E. Stevens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for a power-generating fluid flow arrangement. In one example, the fluid flow arrangement may include a primary conduit flowing a pressurized fluid and a bypass conduit coupled to the primary conduit. The bypass conduit may divert a portion of the pressurized fluid flow from the primary conduit to drive rotation of a turbine. A dual solenoid operated control valve may be arranged in the bypass conduit to control both flow and pressure in the fluid flow arrangement.
Claims20
A fluid flow arrangement, comprising:
- a primary conduit flowing a pressurized fluid;
- a bypass conduit coupled to the primary conduit and configured to divert at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flow from the primary conduit through the bypass conduit;
- a dual solenoid operated control valve arranged in the bypass conduit, the dual solenoid operated control valve configured to control both flow and pressure in the bypass conduit, the dual solenoid operated control valve comprising a first solenoid pilot valve, a second solenoid pilot valve, and a mechanically actuated pressure-reducing pilot valve;
- and
- a turbine positioned in the bypass conduit and operated based on the fluid flow through the bypass conduit,
- wherein the dual solenoid operated control valve comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, wherein both the first solenoid pilot valve and the second solenoid pilot valve are coupled to the primary chamber, wherein the mechanically actuated pressure-reducing pilot valve is coupled to the secondary chamber, and wherein the primary chamber is controlled based on a flowrate through the bypass conduit and the secondary chamber is controlled based on a pressure in a portion of the bypass conduit downstream of the turbine.
3 more elements
A hydroelectric power-generating arrangement, comprising:
- one or more sub-assemblies coupled in parallel to one another and to a primary conduit, each of the one or more sub-assemblies including:
- a bypass conduit;
- a dual solenoid operated control valve arranged in the bypass conduit and configured to control flow and pressure in the bypass conduit, the dual solenoid operated control valve comprising a first solenoid pilot valve, a second solenoid pilot valve, and a mechanically actuated pressure-reducing pilot valve;
- and
- a turbine arranged in a path of fluid flow through the bypass conduit and coupled to a generator, wherein the generator is configured to provide power to an electrical network,
- wherein the dual solenoid operated control valve comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, wherein the first solenoid pilot valve and the second solenoid pilot valve are both coupled to the primary chamber, wherein the mechanically actuated pressure-reducing pilot valve is coupled to the secondary chamber, and wherein the primary chamber is controlled based on a flowrate through the bypass conduit and the secondary chamber is controlled based on a pressure in a portion of the bypass conduit downstream of the turbine.
3 more elements
A method for a fluid flow arrangement, comprising:
- flowing a fluid through a primary conduit;
- diverting at least a portion of the fluid through a first bypass conduit coupled in parallel with the primary conduit;
- adjusting a flowrate and a pressure in the first bypass conduit by a dual solenoid operated control valve arranged in the first bypass conduit, the flowrate adjusted via a first solenoid pilot valve and a second solenoid pilot valve, the first solenoid pilot valve and the second solenoid pilot valve both coupled to a primary chamber of the dual solenoid operated control valve;
- adjusting a pressure through the first bypass conduit via the dual solenoid operated control valve, the pressure adjusted via a mechanically actuated pressure-reducing pilot valve that is coupled to a secondary chamber of the dual solenoid operated control valve;
- and
- operating a turbine positioned in the first bypass conduit based on the flowrate in the first bypass conduit, wherein the turbine is coupled to a generator and the dual solenoid operated control valve includes the first solenoid pilot valve and the second solenoid pilot valve configured to control fluid flow through the dual solenoid operated control valve,
- wherein the primary chamber is controlled based on a flowrate through a body of the dual solenoid operated control valve, and the secondary chamber is controlled based on a pressure in a portion of the first bypass conduit located downstream of the turbine.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.